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Uncovering the Recycling Distraction: a Graphic Designer’s Journey Designing a Website to Challenge Recycling-Based Individualism

Gruebel, Rhys
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1661116678737292

Abstract Details

2022, Master of Fine Arts, Ohio State University, Design.
This is a scholarly personal narrative about the author’s three-year journey leading to the development of the Recycling Distraction, a website designed to raise awareness of the shortcomings of municipal recycling. Based on research by environmental historians, sociologists, and economists, the Recycling Distraction presents a critical perspective on America’s reliance on municipal recycling for managing post-consumer waste. Through the website, the author challenges the longstanding corporate practice of individualizing environmental responsibility to avoid anti-litter regulations, and argues that companies should be held responsible for their proportionate share of environmental damage caused by single-use disposable products. This paper documents the author’s experience learning the fundamentals of user-experience (UX) research as an MFA candidate in the Department of Design. During the journey, the author navigates the landscape of sustainability programs at The Ohio State University, and searchers for opportunities to conduct UX research to support the development of circular-economy initiatives at the institution. Following a series of exploratory design activities, including: (1) conducting user-experience inquiries into recycling-related problems; (2) designing digital solutions aimed at improving recycling participation; (3) reviewing recycling and circular-economy literature; and (4) reflecting upon on his experiences, the author redirects his efforts toward raising awareness of recycling’s failure to reduce waste and prevent pollution, which culminates with the development of the Recycling Distraction project.
Yvette Shen (Advisor)
Bartow J. Elmore (Committee Member)
Paul J. Nini (Committee Member)
122 p.
Design
Graphic Design; Web Design; User-Experience Research (UX); Augmented Reality; Individualism; Recycling; Linear Economy; Circular Economy; Sustainability

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Gruebel, R. (2022). Uncovering the Recycling Distraction: a Graphic Designer’s Journey Designing a Website to Challenge Recycling-Based Individualism [Master's thesis, Ohio State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1661116678737292

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Gruebel, Rhys. Uncovering the Recycling Distraction: a Graphic Designer’s Journey Designing a Website to Challenge Recycling-Based Individualism. 2022. Ohio State University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1661116678737292.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Gruebel, Rhys. "Uncovering the Recycling Distraction: a Graphic Designer’s Journey Designing a Website to Challenge Recycling-Based Individualism." Master's thesis, Ohio State University, 2022. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1661116678737292

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

osu1661116678737292
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© 2022, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by The Ohio State University and OhioLINK.